End of Exile

Ram stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing out into distance, imagining outline of his palace which wasn't even visible from this far. Fourteen years had passed since he was near to his favorite place on earth, his home, Ayodhdhya. He felt he could almost make out the shining, flowing waters of Sarayu river. It wasn't possible, he knew, as there was barely any moonlight to reflect. It was a night before Amavasya, New moon, and it was pitch dark. That was one of the reasons why they had to halt on this hill. Tomorrow it would be even darker. He wished their journey to Ayodhdhya had finished around full moon so that his home would've been visible with all it's might and glory. He wasn't a superstitious man but resented coming home in dark. It seemed a dark shadow of past fourteen years was accompanying him into his new life. He prayed to Surya, the Sun, God of light to shine his way home.

They would have to start early in the morning and pass through villages outside the city before reaching Sarayu. He anticipated that villagers will keep joining his entourage as it had been since Panchavati. Their envoy had grown larger than the army he marched to Lanka. The army that returned, the victorious army, was of much smaller size. Most of that army was dissembled at Kishkindha and surviving Vanar and Riksha (bear) warriors went back to their families. It would take a long time for these two great species to heal the physical and emotional wounds. They would mourn their friends and loved ones for years to come. Ram knew now that no other society, human or otherwise, could so selflessly devote to a cause they believed and sacrifice so much for a person they befriended. Vanar and Riksha armies fought for him, his wife who was abducted by the demon kind Ravan. They killed millions and died by millions fighting his war. Ram believed that along with Ravan's demons, his war had caused the end of Vanar and Riksha civilizations as well.

He had not been able to mourn the warriors who had sacrificed themselves for his cause. The Vanar and Riksha leaders were overjoyed. They laughed, sang and danced daily since defeating Ravan. Their journey home was interrupted by frequent celebrations for victory of Ram over Ravan. Everyone they came across wanted to hear the narrative which got more colorful and fanciful with every retelling. The war of Lanka was now regarded as the war of Good against Evil. Ram knew that Ravan was dreaded across the realm and he could understand the excitement of people for getting rid of that demon. However, he could not accept the reverence of his generals. In their stories, Ram had become almost a God incarnate. Ram believed he only did his duty as a husband and a warrior, what anyone would've or should've done. He felt indebted to everybody who had helped him from the start of his exile. Every experience prepared and molded him for the penultimate encounter against Ravan.  He wanted to repay all animate and inanimate beings of this great nation by uniting them and providing them order and social structure. By defeating Ravan, Rama had ensured Ichhwaku clan of Ayodhdhya were accepted as supreme rulers of entire Bharat. Now, Sun Throne was his and he was determined to be a great king, if he was given the choice.

Ram thought there was a reason he had survived fourteen years in Dandakaranya. His exile was marked by numerous battles with dangerous foes. Suparnakha, Khar, Dushana, Trishara, Kadambh and Vali; each were battle hardened fighters with more experience than him, Laxman and Sita put together. It took Rama and his ragtag band better part of a decade to finish off Khar, Dushana and Trishara. Once Suparnakha left, they awaited the news of Ravan's army marching north towards them. But Ravan did unthinkable as was his nature. He abducted Sita and challenged Ram to come to Lanka and rescue his wife. While travelling south, Ram and Laxman encountered Kadambh who, if not for Laxman's great swordsmanship, would've ate Ram. Only after meeting Hanuman and through him Sugreev, Ram found some sense of hope of rescuing Sita. 

Hanuman, a simple messenger and foot soldier in Sugreev's army, impressed Ram more than anyone he had ever met. Ram bonded with Hanuman faster than even Laxman or Sita. Hanuman came to regard Ram as his master and his devotion increased Ram's trust of him. It was during the fight with Vali, Sugreev's elder brother and notorious ruler of Kishkindha, that Hanuman's hidden prowess as a warrior were revealed. Sugreev ascended to leadership and his son Angad along with Hanuman assembled largest army of Vanars and Riksha (bears). Hanuman lead the search of Lanka to find strongholds, weak-points and possible allies. The terror Hanuman inflicted in Lanka made Ravan lose sleep. Vibhishan, Ravan's younger brother and an ally of Ram converted by Hanuman, later confided to Ram that Ravan expected him to go back to Ayodhdhya and bring Aryan army to Lanka. He expected that such an army will suffer major loses and get tired during a long travel. Ravan could not have anticipated an army of southern citizens (animals, Ravan thought) be of such magnitude. His arrogance never allowed him to consider Vanars as a threat. That was his undoing as demonstrated by Vanar warriors in Lanka.

Ravan recovered fast from these surprises and presented a formidable retaliation. First day of war was devastating for Ram and his armies. Doubt gripped hearts of Ram and his army.

He still marveled at enormity of Ravan's army, their skill and ferocity. After the first day of fighting he doubted for the first and last time if he would succeed in this campaign. Next day, he led the attack with Laxman and Hanuman taking up flanks. They fought with unbelievable energy. Laxman proved yet again he was no less than Ram and Hanuman, well he couldn't be described. It was incomprehensible how a simple Vanar he had met few years ago after finishing off Trishara had transformed into this massive force who could destroy an army on his own. After the war ended, Hanuman requested reward in return of his service. Ram thought may be this great warrior would want to be a king in his own right so he offered that Hanuman can take any village, town, city or even a kingdom he desires. If Ram had to, he would go to war and win him one. Hanuman only asked that Ram kept Hanuman forever close to him and worship him till the end of time. Hanuman said that by worshiping Ram he would gain moksha (freedom from life & death cycle) and amaratva (immortality) together. Hanuman is with him right now while others are waiting for them to join for dinner. Hanuman and Ram have developed a friendship, if this word can be used for their relation, that did not require any word or outward expression. Ram knew if it needed Hanuman would stand like this for days with him.

After reaching Sarayu he would send Hanuman ahead of others to inform Bharat and others at Ayodhdhya that Ram is coming back. He was tempted to not inform anyone and rush straight to Kaushalya, his mother, embrace her and let her cry on his shoulders. He knew she would comb his curly hair with her fingers and prepare his favorite dishes he hadn't had in years. But that was not possible. He wasn't just a son coming home, he was a king returning from exile. And he wanted to be sure that the kingdom still needed him. Ram didn't mind if he wasn't the king and Bharat ruled but he was appointed as would be king by his father Dasarath. Even Bharat proclaimed that Ram is and will be only true king of Ayodhdhya before bidding them goodbye at Chitrakoot. Ram trusted Bharat as much as Laxman but he still wanted to forewarn them. He decided to send Hanuman to Ayodhdhya immediately after reaching Sarayu. If Bharat and others decided that Ram is not required as a king, he would spend time doing other good things for his people. He knew he will have support from Sita and Laxman and now even from Hanuman in whatever his destiny held. His only regret was that it would be almost nightfall when they reach Ayodhdhya and none of her grandeur would be visible to his friends. He wished he could point at different minarets, identify them and describe to his wife as he had the first time they came together to Ayodhdhya after their marriage in Mithila. He was surprised at his vanity but delighted that even after all they have gone through such small gestures still instilled romance in him. He was ready for a new life with Sita, ready for their End of Exile.